interdictor ([info]interdictor) wrote,
@ 2007-12-20 03:19:00
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Execute Them Now
Have you heard about Jamie Leigh Jones? She was gang raped inside the Baghdad Green Zone in July 2005 while she was working for the Halliburton subsidiary KBR Inc, which has support contracts with the US military. Here's the latest:



Jones told committee members that on her fourth day in Baghdad some co-workers, who she described as Halliburton-KBR firefighters, invited her for a drink. "I took two sips from the drink and don't remember anything after that," she said. The next morning Jones woke up groggy and confused, and with a sore chest and blood between her legs. She reported the incident to KBR and was examined by an army doctor, who confirmed she had been repeatedly raped vaginally and anally.

The doctor took photographs, made notes, and handed all the evidence over to KBR personnel. "The KBR security then took me to a trailer and then locked me in a room with two armed guards outside my door," Jones testified. "I was imprisoned in the trailer for approximately a day. One of the guards finally had mercy and let me use a phone." Jones called her father in Texas, who called his representative in Congress, Republican Ted Poe. Poe contacted the State Department, who quickly sent personnel to rescue Jones and flew her back to Texas.

The rape was so brutal she is still undergoing reconstructive surgery, Jones said.

Jones tried to get her case resolved first through KBR channels, then through the US Department of Justice. When neither course seemed to work, she gave an interview with ABC television news. KBR has been silent on the matter, though according to ABC News the company circulated a memo among employees signed by company president and CEO Bill Utt saying that it "disputes portions of Ms. [Jamie Leigh] Jones' version and facts."

Jones said that she knows of at least 11 other women who were raped by US contractors in Iraq.

Jones' KBR contract however included a clause which prevents her from suing her employer, Poe said, which will likely force her into arbitration, which he described as "a privatized justice system with no public record, no discovery and no meaningful appeal." There are many laws that the Department of Justice (DOJ) "can enforce with respect to contractors who commit crimes abroad, but it chooses not to," Democrat Robert Scott said. The DOJ "seems to be taking action with respect to enforcement of criminal laws in Iraq only when it is forced to do something by embarrassing media coverage," he added.

"This is outrageous that we even have to be here today," said Conyers, adding that it shows "how far out of control the law enforcement system in Iraq is today." There are 180,000 civilian contractor employees in Iraq, including more than 21,000 Americans, Conyers said. While the DOJ says it is committed to law enforcement in Iraq, "they can't even give us one example of a prosecution where the victim was a civilian contractor employee in Iraq," Conyers added. Poe was equally caustic. The department's silence on the case "speaks volumes about the hidden crimes in Iraq," he said.

Now according to Wikipedia, "The Justice Department has brought no criminal charges against the alleged assailants. Neither the U.S. or Iraqi legal systems can be applied to contractors in Iraq, and thus her assailants have likely broken no laws. Jones has filed a civil lawsuit against KBR and former parent corporation Halliburton. KBR has requested a private arbitration, and claims this is required by her employment contract."

What kind of kindergarten bullshit is that? If no US or Iraqi legal systems can be applied, why doesn't some commander in the area send in the fucking Rangers or Marines to bring the rapists' heads backs to be impaled on stakes as a warning to would be rapists? And whoever gave the order to put her in a shipping container with no food, water, or medical attention for a day needs to be shot in the face. This civil lawsuit as the only recourse nonsense has got to go. What the fuck is going on in Iraq?


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[info]thedabara
2007-12-20 11:47 am UTC (link)
This particular case has be absolutely enraged.

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[info]karenkay
2007-12-20 12:16 pm UTC (link)
Some commander doesn't send in the fucking Rangers or Marines, because he knows that those same Rangers or Marines probably raped women in their unit, if there were any. There's a real problem with rape in the military; this is just an extension of it.

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[info]londonbard
2007-12-20 12:33 pm UTC (link)
Rape is often power-motivated and it will go right on happening anywhere where there are no strict, publicised and enforced laws that punish the rapists (preferably without further penalising the victims.)

I studied criminalogy and a major factor in crime control is the potential criminals' perception of the chance of being caught and punished.

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]ms_cantrell
2007-12-20 04:08 pm UTC (link)
those same Rangers or Marines probably raped women in their unit

having been a female in the military, and having many of my female friends still in the military, i can say that's a stupid fucking comment to make.

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(no subject) - [info]karenkay, 2007-12-20 04:29 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:01 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]karenkay, 2007-12-20 05:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]karenkay, 2007-12-20 05:20 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]karenkay, 2007-12-20 06:20 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 06:25 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]crufix, 2007-12-20 08:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]a_motley_fool, 2007-12-20 08:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]ms_cantrell, 2007-12-20 06:28 pm UTC

[info]xyloart
2007-12-20 12:58 pm UTC (link)
I feel like I'm going to throw up a little now.

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[info]unclebill35
2007-12-20 01:02 pm UTC (link)
Not to detract from the inhumanity of the event and the continued disgusting aftermath, but the "shipping container" was quite likely a dorm/barracks for women, the type she requested when shown her mixed-gender barracks situation the first day. I recall reading that tidbit in another version of the incident. It helps feed the outrage when that detail is omitted. Yes, she was detained there, but it wasn't bare metal walls.

(Icon in keeping with the current cat theme)

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[info]ikilled007
2007-12-20 01:32 pm UTC (link)
Can you provide a link to the description please? It would be helpful.

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(no subject) - [info]unclebill35, 2007-12-20 03:06 pm UTC

[info]temp_revenge
2007-12-20 01:51 pm UTC (link)
Actually there was no running water or toilet, so I doubt that it was her barracks. Moreover, they had to enlist the help of a fucking Senator to get her freed.

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(no subject) - [info]unclebill35, 2007-12-20 03:13 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]temp_revenge, 2007-12-20 05:12 pm UTC

[info]vaquera
2007-12-20 03:14 pm UTC (link)
I have friends who live in a shipping container. It has insulated walls, a bed, cable TV, a full size refrigerator, and a place to cook. You still wouldn't want to be held hostage in there.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - [info]unclebill35, 2007-12-20 03:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 03:46 pm UTC

[info]phanatic
2007-12-20 02:17 pm UTC (link)
She was gang raped inside the Baghdad Green Zone in July 2005 while she was working for the Halliburton subsidiary KBR Inc, which has support contracts with the US military.

She claimed she was gang raped inside the Baghdad Green Zone. Now. Originally she claims she was sexually assaulted by one guy. Now it's a brutal gang rape, kidnapping, imprisonment, and conspiracy.

If it's true, I highly support the face-shooting of all involved. But Crystal Mangum claimed she was gang-raped too. The Jena Six was also a horrible injustice until we found out that it really wasn't. When something's such a good story that the press can't ignore it, I'm going to be skeptical until the facts come out.

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[info]twoeleven
2007-12-20 02:26 pm UTC (link)
now there you go again, insisting on evidence and believeing people are innocent until proven guilty. what are you, some kinda wild-eyed radical?

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[info]vaquera
2007-12-20 03:22 pm UTC (link)
So you think her congressman had to intervene into rescuing her for what reason, then? That fact isn't apparently in dispute. It's also not disputed that she is but one of many with similar allegations and ongoing litigation. Sure, because there are 4 other lawsuits with the same types of allegations ongoing doesn't necessarily make something true.


And if it's true, the question I have is, if this is being done to US Citizens at the hands of defense contractors, what is being done to Iraqi women by those same animals?

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(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 03:50 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]unprotoize, 2007-12-20 04:02 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 05:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]tropism, 2007-12-20 08:16 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]zorra, 2007-12-30 11:27 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 04:31 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:07 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 05:19 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 05:24 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 05:22 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 05:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 11:08 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]zorra, 2007-12-30 11:29 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 09:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 11:02 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 11:45 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-21 12:05 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:06 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]temp_revenge, 2007-12-20 05:10 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:14 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 05:23 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]vaquera, 2007-12-20 05:49 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 06:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 06:25 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 06:30 pm UTC

[info]pinkfu
2007-12-20 05:16 pm UTC (link)
The extreme nature of her injuries would indicate not only a brutal rape but rape by more than one person. Regardless of the rest, she does carry around the evidence of a brutal gang rape with her.

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(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:43 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 05:55 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 06:06 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 06:26 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]montieth, 2007-12-20 11:19 pm UTC

[info]redregon
2007-12-20 02:26 pm UTC (link)
to be honest, though i would gain some satisfaction if the rapists heads were put up on a pike, i'd be even more satisfied that the Haliburton Execs are put through the same thing, considering they're trying to cover the whole thing up. the slimy fuckers...

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[info]girl_tm
2007-12-20 02:27 pm UTC (link)
My God, how horrible. I couldn't even watch the rest of the video. That girl is really brave.

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What the fuck is going on in Iraq?
[info]ernunnos
2007-12-20 02:41 pm UTC (link)
No meddlesome law, corporations free to do as they please, everything governed by private contract...

Sounds like paradise!

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Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq?
[info]phanatic
2007-12-20 05:15 pm UTC (link)

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 05:56 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 06:27 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 06:32 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 08:08 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 09:27 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]ikilled007, 2007-12-20 08:12 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]ernunnos, 2007-12-20 09:04 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]pinkfu, 2007-12-20 09:29 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]interdictor, 2007-12-21 01:31 pm UTC
Re: What the fuck is going on in Iraq? - [info]ernunnos, 2007-12-21 02:51 pm UTC

[info]bad_in_plaid
2007-12-20 02:55 pm UTC (link)
How sad.

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[info]montieth
2007-12-20 03:44 pm UTC (link)
Seems to me KBR ought to be subject to military law in Iraq and Bagdad. I will say that its odd given all the noise coming from congress about KBR that they haven't passed some specific legislation placing them under specific legal systems. In a combat theater, I'd say that should be UCMJ.

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(no subject) - [info]phanatic, 2007-12-20 05:07 pm UTC

[info]roninspoon
2007-12-20 03:51 pm UTC (link)
What the fuck is going on in Iraq?

Mostly the wrong things.

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[info]spamchang
2007-12-20 03:52 pm UTC (link)
it will be a travesty of justice if the perps aren't locked away for the rest of their natural lives. you don't attribute this to a moral "lapse," you can attribute it to a complete failure in moral integrity.

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[info]unprotoize
2007-12-20 04:09 pm UTC (link)
This sounds like a job for Hothead Paisan.

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[info]ms_cantrell
2007-12-20 04:14 pm UTC (link)
it's been a while since i served with a few hundred men at a time, but what i do remember is that the leadership is fundamental to the mentality of the group.

one gets a sense that various contractor groups, and [very unfortunately] some military units, think they're entitled to anything they want, whenever they want, so long as they are successful with their primary mission.

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[info]squidb0i
2007-12-20 04:33 pm UTC (link)
I saw her speak on one of the morning news shows, yesterday.
So colossally fucked up.
I'm with you; heads on stakes.
>=[

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[info]greengalnblack
2007-12-20 10:24 pm UTC (link)
There's a lot wrong in Iraq these days, and Halliburton/KBR's head in the sand approach to this incident is no different than many others. You don't have to have the nose of a bloodhound to smell the rat all the way here; I've questioned Halliburton's involvement in Iraq for years now.

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